US Bridges

Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou

Good

Harris County, Texas · Between Louisiana & Smith · Structure no. 121020B15953667

Built
2010
15 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Other
Prestressed Concrete
Length
180 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
11,160
2015 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou is a prestressed concrete other carrying Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou in Harris County, Texas. It was built in 2010, so it is 15 years old, younger than the Texas average of 44.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 11,160 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,722 by 2035. The structure is 180 ft (54.9 m) long and 70 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCongress Ave
CrossesSW Bank of Buffalo Bayou
LocationBetween Louisiana & Smith
RouteCity Street 0
CountyHarris County
StateTexas
Coordinates29.76407, -95.36379
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeOther
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHL 93
Structure length180 ft (54.9 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width70 ft (21.3 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,160 (2015)
Projected traffic12,722 by 2035
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$53,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou built?

It was built in 2010, making it 15 years old in 2025.

What condition is Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou carry?

About 11,160 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou?

The structure is 180 ft (54.9 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 70 ft wide.

Who owns Congress Ave over SW Bank of Buffalo Bayou?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.